Fishing visit lands Chattanooga Mocs a guard

Fishing visit lands Chattanooga Mocs a guard

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga basketball coach Will Wade and assistant coach Wes Long went fishing on Saturday with Orlando Christian Prep guard Brandon Maxwell.

The 6-foot-1 guard landed six catfish in a three-hour period while sitting on the rocks beside the Tennessee River.

Wade landed Maxwell on Sunday.

Maxwell, the son of former NBA guard Vernon Maxwell, gave a verbal pledge to play for UTC beginning next fall.

"I can see myself walking from the UTC dorm over to the river and going fishing, real easy," Maxwell said over the phone. "I play basketball all the time and fishing is something with not a lot of noise. It's me and a friend or two, or going by myself. And then I get to relax."

Maxwell chose playing for the Mocs over Florida Atlantic, Campbell and Wyoming. Orlando Christian Prep coach Reggie Kohn said Maxwell averaged more than 20 points per game, made 96 3-pointers and shot about 43 percent from 3-point range for the Warriors who finished runner-up in Florida's Class 2-A private classification.

"I'm really excited for Brandon, and think UTC will be a good fit for him," Kohn said. "He's a high-energy combo-guard who is very physical and shoots the ball very well. He's very good defensively and that has to do with his strength and quickness."

Those skills aren't necessary when baiting a hook for catfish.

"I do all types of fishing for large-mouth, small-mouth [bass], and gar, but usually I go catfishing with some chicken livers," Maxwell said. "I'm a little unique. I don't do stuff kids my age normally do."

Contact David Uchiyama at duchiyama@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6484. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/UchiyamaCTFP.